after that, secretary of state hillary clinton on the situation in the middle east. on thursday, vice president biden and former congressional leaders gather to pay tribute to former new hampshire senator warren rudman. he is best remembered as a key player in the iran-contra negotiations. also help orchestrate the appointment of now retired supreme court justice david souter who led the ceremony on capitol hill. this is just under two hours. >> good afternoon, everyone. we are still waiting on a few speakers. but i will begin. i am janeen shaheen, the senior senator from new hampshire, and i am pleased to be here with my colleague, senator ayotte, to welcome to this reception celebrating the life and service of warren rudman. we are honored to join in hosting this reception. senator rudman has been hailed as a public servant who reached across party lines to get the job done for his country and his state. warren rudman's independence and courage, his focus on maintaining good government, and fierce loyalty to his home state, new hampshire, is something we in congres